Senior Turkish magistrates resign over reform

The head and six members of a Turkish body responsible for judicial appointments have resigned in protest against a reform by the Islamist-rooted government, reports said Tuesday. The members of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors who appoint magistrates were protesting against constitutional amendments that were passed by referendum last month.
Voters handed Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) a stronger than expected victory, backing the amendments by 58 percent. The constitutional amendments are aimed at restructuring the country's top courts and curbing the military's influence, steps that opponents fear mask an AKP drive to tighten its grip on power. Under the reform, the number of members of the board would be raised, which the resigning members considered to be a way for the ruling party to gain control over the body.